Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales III – FACES-III
Measures family cohesion (emotional bonding) and family adaptability (ability to change power structure, role relationships, and relationship rules).
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales III – FACES-III was developed by David H. Olson, Joyce Portner, and Yoav Lavee (1985). It is designed to measure Family Cohesion and Adaptability. The scale is intended for use with Families (Adults and Adolescents).
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 20 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Cohesion, Adaptability.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Cohesion | 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19 | 10 |
| Adaptability | 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20 | 10 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Almost never, 2 = Once in a while, 3 = Sometimes, 4 = Frequently, 5 = Almost always.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 10 to 50. Interpretation guidelines:
- Disengaged (Low Cohesion) / Rigid (Low Adaptability): 10 – 34
- Separated (Moderate-Low Cohesion) / Structured (Moderate-Low Adaptability): 35 – 40
- Connected (Moderate-High Cohesion) / Flexible (Moderate-High Adaptability): 41 – 45
- Enmeshed (High Cohesion) / Chaotic (High Adaptability): 46 – 50
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Cohesion alpha = 0.77, Adaptability alpha = 0.62.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.